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Jon Pardi Goes In-Depth on Excitement for Joe Diffie Tribute at 2020 CMA Awards

Jon Pardi is excited to be honoring the late singer Joe Diffie at the 2020 CMA Awards. Pardi will perform one of Diffie’s songs as a tribute to the artist.

Pardi was excited to discuss his tribute to the late musician in an interview with Taste of Country Nights.

“Gonna sing a bad— song from an awesome artist that I grew up listening to. Dang! That’s easy,” Pardi said. “That’s like honky-tonkin’ we talking about, that’s an exciting performance.”

It has the makes of an exciting night for Pardi, as he is also nominated in the Album of the Year category.

Pardi compares this upcoming performance to performing for tips along with Lower Broadway staples like the Tootsies Orchid Lounge.

“That’s like being downtown Nashville, being up there, ‘Oh, you wanna hear ‘Pickup Man’? Alright, $100 in the (tip) box,’” he says.

The 35-year-old found success in the industry with songs from his Write You a Song album. He played at clubs and honky-tonks in California before moving to Nashville.

Jon Pardi Reflects on Legacy of Joe Diffie

Pardi recently covered Diffie’s 1993 hit “Prop Me Up Beside The Jukebox (If I Die)” on his EP Rancho Fiesta Sessions. In an Instagram post back in March, Pardi reflected on Diffie’s legacy and confessed he’s been a fan of Diffie for years.

He wrote, “Bummer day today, Joe Diffie was such a nice guy and a great country singer. Been listening to Joe since the cassette tape days! Having some beers today for the pick up man. Condolences to his family, friends, band, and crew.”

In March 2020, Diffie died after contacting the COVID-19 virus. Diffie was 61-years-old. The singer leaves behind a decades-long career with hits like “Home,” “Pickup Man” and “John Deere Green.” Throughout his career, Diffie was nominated twice for CMA Awards and won Vocal Event of the Year in 1993. The awards ceremony will honor his legacy and contribution to the industry.